Q&A: Changing Management Companies
Changing Management Companies

Q Our association recently hired a new management company. An announcement was
sent to the homeowners announcing the change. A new board initiated this action
with no input from the homeowners and no discussion. I have specifically
requested information concerning our budget, and if this new company is being
paid more than our previous one. It's been over three weeks, and no one will
respond directly to my questions. If there was no change in management fee, I'm
sure there would have been a quick response. This stonewalling of a clear and
concise question is very disconcerting. What recourse do I have to get a
truthful answer?

—Secretive in Sarasota

A “Condominiums and homeowners associations are governed by different statutes. Since I cannot ascertain if the owner resides in a condominium or homeowners
association, I will answer the question in generality,” says Russell M. Robbins, managing partner in the Coral Springs office of the
law firm of Mirza Basulto & Robbins, LLP.

“Both statutes permit an owner to make a records inspection request for a copy of
this agreement (and a copy of the previous management agreement), if the
association is a condominium, the aggrieved unit owner can file a complaint
with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation’s Bureau of Compliance to ensure access to the official records. Owners in either type of community can also demand arbitration over the refusal
to grant access, and may recover up to $500 in statutory damages plus their
reasonable attorneys fees and costs.”

This course shows you how to prepare for your community’s future by identifying insurance risks and addressing critical issues. Learn how to optimize your community’s risk-management program and gain strategies and resources for evaluating property coverage, reporting losses and managing claims. For information, visit www.caionline.org.

Join us for this special homeowner leader event on Saturday, September 21st from 10am-1pm at Sihle Insurance! This free event will include a box lunch. If you are a CAICF member attorney and would like a chance to be on this panel, please contact the Executive Director, Reini Marsh at exdir@caicf.org or 407-913-3777. For information, visit www.caicf.org.org.

Join us for our 3rd annual Orlando State of the Market, our largest and most prestigious event in Central Florida of the year! Find out from top developers, owners and market movers what's going up in Orlando and why all eyes should be on Central Florida. For information, visit www.bisnow.com.

Join us for a unique and challenging golfing experience at the 9th Annual Golf Tournament at the Victoria Hills Golf Club in DeLand! The Ron Garl-designed golf course preserves the natural flow of the area’s rolling hills and foliage. This beautiful 18-hole, par 72 golf course is not your typical Florida course and is surrounded by hundreds of oak hammocks and Augusta pines, carved meticulously from a sandy terrain and buffered by pristine lakes and flowering greens. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village. You could win a car in the Hole In One Contest, $5000 cash in the Putting Contest, or loads of raffle prizes! Become a sponsor of this awesome event or register to play! For information, visit www.caicf.org.

Please join us as we once again volunteer at the Sunshine Foundation’s Dream Village, which is the major charity we are proud to support each year. Drinks and snacks will be served. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Agravat at 407-234-3174.

If you agreed to serve on your board, you will want to be sure you have the tools and information necessary to understand your responsibilities, discharge your duties in accordance with the applicable law and your governing documents, and avoid any potential liability associated with your new role. For information, visit www.katzmanchandler.com.

A must attend for all board members, property managers, condo & HOA decision makers. Learn about the latest services from more than 180 exhibitors. Attend educational seminars, network with your peers and get free advice from industry experts. For information, visit https://tampacondoexpo.com.

Town leaders, present and past, are on Unicorp National Development Inc.'s witness list in phase 2 of its legal proceeding to gain control of the former Colony Beach & Tennis Resort property for its development plans.
Read full story

A Clearwater, Florida, police officer is facing an ultimatum from her East Lake, Florida, home owners association: Stop parking her marked police cruiser in her driveway or pay hundreds of dollars in fines.
Read full story

Follow Us

About

The Western Florida Cooperator

Welcome to the online edition of The Western Florida Cooperator newspaper. The publication serves the Western & Central Florida Condo, HOA and Co-op community with informative free articles on management, finance, maintenance and more...